Aycliffe Hang on for Derby Victory

Newton Aycliffe 17 Sedgefield 16

Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club were hosts to local rivals Sedgefield, featuring a number of former Aycliffe players, in their latest match in Durham and Northumberland Division 3. A large squad was available for selection for the game which marked hooker Matt Adkins’ final game before a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The game also saw the revival of the presentation of the Sedgefield Cup to the winners of the annual contest.

Aycliffe began the game in fine style, controlling the possession before, with less than 5 minutes on the clock, the ball was won at a ruck and Craig Holmes was able to receive the pass from Gareth Parsonage and score under the posts. Luke Tinkler added the conversion. A heavy downpour now began which lasted much of the match. Parsonage was soon able to add a second try, again converted by Tinkler, with a sharp break. With the ball becoming difficult to hold, errors began to dominate the play, although Aycliffe had the edge in the scrums at this point. Sedgefield kicked a penalty to make the score 14 – 3 at the break

After a change of personnel strengthened the Sedgefield scrum, it was the visitors turn to dominate and they added a second penalty kick before Tinkler restored the margin with a penalty of his own. With 20 minutes remaining, former Aycliffe stalwart Darryl Pettit scored a try for the visitors. This began a long period of Sedgefield attacking which finally culminated in a second try in the corner with 5 minutes remaining leaving the teams separated by a single point. Aycliffe were now able to defend for the rest of the match to maintain this narrow cushion for victory.

This was a tense game somewhat spoiled by the weather. A presentation saw the Sedgefield Cup awarded by home team chairman Bryan Parsonage to winning captain Gareth Parsonage. On 10th April Aycliffe host runaway league leaders Guisborough at Moore Lane, kick-off is at 3pm. Aycliffe’s sponsors are Fabtech Engineering and Workshop Supplies. More information is available at www.ayclifferugby.co.uk.